According to the rector, the key reason behind the decision was the need to ensure continuity in the academy’s ongoing development projects. Several large-scale initiatives are currently in progress, and their successful completion requires stable leadership. For this reason, launching a new recruitment process was deemed unnecessary.

Leiger has served as the director of the Estonian Maritime Academy since 2015 and has been involved with the academy for nearly two decades. He has worked as a lecturer, dean of the Faculty of Marine Engineering, and Vice-Rector for Development, and has also fulfilled the duties of rector during the preparation process for the merger between the Maritime Academy and Tallinn University of Technology. Leiger is a graduate of the Maritime Academy’s marine engineering programme and has spent nearly six years working at sea as a marine engineer.

In his address to colleagues, Leiger noted that the proposal to continue is a significant recognition and emphasised that recent achievements have been possible thanks to the entire academy’s team. “We have brought the academy to a strong and recognised position in education, research, and maritime development. This has been a team effort, and everyone’s contribution matters,” Leiger said. According to him, the goal is to maintain a steady course while remaining open to innovation and cooperation.

During Leiger’s tenure, the academy has invested in developing new training and simulator environments, expanding international cooperation, and updating curricula to better match the labour market needs of the maritime sector. In recent years, significant attention has been directed toward launching research and development activities in the field of blue economy, establishing new professorships and research groups, and advancing doctoral studies in maritime disciplines.

In addition to his work at the academy, Leiger is active in several sectoral organisations. He serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Estonian Maritime Museum Foundation and is a member of the board of the Estonian Maritime Cluster, the Estonian Shipowners’ Association, the Maritime Advisory Council, and the Estonian Marine Engineers’ Association. He believes that this broad engagement helps maintain close contact with the real needs of the maritime sector and supports the academy’s development..